Salt Kitchen and Rum Bar
1 Market St, Ipswich, MA, 01938
Salt Kitchen and Rum Bar Menu
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Address :
1 Market St
Ipswich, MA, 01938 - Phone (978) 356-0002
- Website https://www.saltkitchenandrumbar.com
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Mon :4:30 pm - 12:00pm
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : Yes
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Dinner
Parking : Street
Bike Parking : Yes
Good for Kids : No
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Casual
Noise Level : Average
Alcohol : Full Bar
Outdoor Seating : No
Wi-Fi : No
Has TV : Yes
Waiter Service : Yes
Caters : No
WE SERVE THE FOLLOWING STATES
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Stephanie B.
Stopped in for a munch with a friend before a riding lesson and was very pleased. Home brewed iced tea was refreshing, and I had a pea bruschetta that was divine. Friend had an oyster po'boy and raved about it and his quickly consumed cocktail. Service was great, quick and friendly. Love a nice joint that's open during munch hours! Really a bright spot in downtown Ipswich.
(4)Ryan H.
The food here was great! We did have to wait awhile for food but they apologized for the delay and even comped our appetizer. The grilled oysters were phenomenal and I had the fried chicken and waffles for a meal and I loved it. Definitely recommend this place! I travelled all the way from Lowell and will be back!
(4)Julien T.
The pork buns here are more than delicious Made from BBQ pork, not very nutritious The service was great and the waitress kind One of the better restaurants I have dined Then came the burger, an amazing creation Keeping it together was quite the operation Juicy, fresh, tasty and well cooked It's amazing this place isn't always booked After our meal we ordered desert The strawberry shortcake our attentions divert The check came and we all left happy Food babies on the way, I was quite nappy
(5)Anthony S.
Fantastic food and drink, but not without some issues. I'll get right to the good part - the food was outstanding, especially the burger. The entire menu was really interesting. It's easy to struggle to find a clear choice for an entree, and the "smalls" menu of appetizers is even more enticing. We settled on trying the lobster wellington bites which were flaky, doughy perfection filled with nutty brie and chunks of fresh lobster - and we also tried the steamed pulled pork buns with kimchi. These were also delicious, light, doughy and has serious flavor. Great way to start. My only issue here is that between two glasses of water, two cocktails, two plates of "smalls" and the tiny appetizer plates we were eating off of, the entire table was engulfed in plates and we felt overly crowded. Our waitress suggested we put a plate on the separator wall that separated the tables from the bar area. Seemed like an okay compromise, except that bar patrons were leaning and talking over our food. Can't blame them either, because the place was jammed. But not ideal. Tables really needed to be larger. The cocktail menu was equally as interesting as the food menu, but I opted for the daily daiquiri special which was "rum, lime, simple syrup, stuff, and other stuff" - basically up to the bartender to whip up what he felt like. Definitely piqued my curiosity enough to try and I was very happy I did - one of the best cocktails I've ever had in my life, and I don't really care for rum as a spirit. Dinner we had a burger as mentioned and it was delicious, we also split an order of chicken and waffles. The fried chicken half was incredible, and so was the chipotle bourbon maple syrup, but the waffle was a little damp and not crispy enough to match how great the rest of the dish was. Overall, I was still very happy and ate every bite. We opted to skip dessert, mainly because it had gotten so busy and cramped there that other patrons were standing right over us. Our waitress also wasn't that great at all. She was very rushy, and not all that pleasant - you can only fake it so much. I'm sure if we had a different server, the night would have went even better, or if we had a larger table (there are some), so I don't want to knock the place too much for things tied to this individual experience. Salt is the perfect example of why Yelp should allow half stars. I don't feel like it deserves a 4 because of the atmosphere and comfort levels, but 3 stars sells the food and drinks too short. I think I'll err on the side of caution and stick to the 3, but after reading my review your take away should be that the food was 4, actual restaurant was a 3. If you can deal with cramped eating and people standing over you, the food and cocktails will be totally worth the trip.
(3)Kandy D.
After traveling all day from San Diego, I was tired and extremely hungry. A group of friends and I stopped here at this restaurant shortly before closing (but not too close, we're not THOSE GUYS). Anyway, I ordered the salmon special. The salmon was a little overdone, but it was still delicious (i'm not that picky). Everything about that meal was excellent. Staff was really friendly and attentive, and the decor is really cute. I don't know much about this area, but it looked like a cute little community. While it's unlikely I'll ever find myself in Ipswich, MA again - If I did, I would eat here.
(4)k n.
We so need a nice place in Ipswich, so I was really excited about Salt. It looks cool and has a great mix of upscale and casual, which is perfect for Ipswich after the beach. The food, however, is a mix of the strange and the boring. It feels like the chef has been cooking basic traditional menu items/bar food and is trying to add more interesting ones, but it's not quite working. There are so many gross dishes from the 80s (chicken wings, steak and fries, lobster bisque, brisket, lo mein, flank steak, fried chicken). These are greasy and not even worth the heart attack in their lack of originality. Bring in someone with more food experience to help with the menu. We had one of the only interesting dishes- a scallop dish, but the scallops were a bit off and many other menu items were a bit heavy and diner-ish (bacon waffles?). desserts were Booooring (just cheesecake and some sort of brownie). Please, I just moved to Ipswich, work on your menu. Simplify the dishes and make all the ingredients fit well. Use local farm and fish items and nix the fatty gross eighties bar food. The second star is for the drinks- which were killer.
(2)J W.
I really enjoy this restaurant. The combination of the creative entrees and the excellent drink selection makes this a wonderful addition to downtown. I mourned the departure of the previous cafe, but they have redeemed that loss quite well. I am not sure how to extol the virtues of this restaurant well enough. The fried chicken bacon waffle is fantastic. The rum drinks are inventive, I've tried several, and they are all good. They do Ipswich justice by preparing seafood in excellent ways. And they do seem to aim to have at least one vegetarian option on the menu. Go. Marvel at the menu. Enjoy beverages. Looking at the check-boxes for this review, yes it has some bike parking, and it also has a TV. But, geesh, talk to each other! Forget the TV!
(5)Nickie L.
Researched this place on phantom gormet. Apperently they got one of the great eight. Sadly, It was not worth the 50 min drive. Overpriced, bland, and overcooked. Big nope! . They do get stars for good service. So bummed at the food quality:(
(2)Josh F.
It was alright. But at least they have a good selection in bottled beers. (Not every day you can get a sculpin at a bar)
(3)Mike B.
Slow service at 9 pm Wednesday. Need more staff especially bartender who is always overwhelmed. We are locals , live in town and have trouble getting served at the bar mid week, waited 7 minutes tonight with no acknowledgment from bartender and left. No presence of manager
(2)Amy Q.
Been here before and have had a great time and great food. Tonight we had the Duck Confit Egg rolls. Yawn! No duck flavor whatsoever. Very bland and boring.
(2)Janice M.
This place has a great atmosphere and original menu. The server was knowledgeable of the menu and options, and had great suggestions for food that would be good after being in the heat all day. I'll definitely be back to try more of this delicious menu!
(5)Neal M.
Wanted to love this place. Been wanting to go here for over a year but could never talk anyone into going. The suburbs could really use an inventive upscale eatery, unfortunately this isn't the place for me. I found the menu to be to big. You can not have such a big menu if you are going to execute to perfection. We got the pork belly tacos to start. They were ok. Nothing memorable. For entrees we had the fried chicken and waffle. The chicken was ok... not a $18 dollar piece of chicken. Next, the flank steak. I asked for rare. Came medium well. There was not a point on this steak that was rare. The aoli was over powering and the only other thing on this plate was a small amount of sweet potato hash. Again, far from impressive or anything I could not have made myself. Lastly was a sandwich. I don't remember what the sandwich was but I do remember french fries that tasted like dehydrated french fry chips. Yawn. Look at my reviews. .. rarely if ever am I negative on a restaurant but I found this place boring and it's all I can come up with. Boring.
(2)Mark F.
Veggie burger: Tasty patty, very good fries. Special salad: Good for flavor/ingredients, but very small, and strangely more expensive than the burger. Atmosphere was nice and service was friendly and efficient. We ended up in a weird nook with one other party, so we were weirdly kind of at the same table. Overall, seemed pretty normal/good, but the tiny expensive salad was disappointing.
(3)John T.
My GF brought me out for lunch. Always good when your GF buys you a burger! Small place, nice bar right up my alley. We got the pork belly tacos for app. Only problem was the spicy mayo on top. I loved it. My girlfriend wanted it on the side. She got chicken and waffles. I got the naked burger medium rare. Both came out perfect. Service was great, sorry forgot her name! If they had a raw bar this place would be perfect!
(4)Jim W.
Best in Ipswich. Food is great. Service is fixed. Fun every time I go. Ask for the mixed salad green. It's not on the menu. Wonderful salad.
(5)Carrie P.
If I could give this place 4.5 stars, I would. It was great! Went for lunch on a Sunday, it was about 1/2 full. Our server was friendly and offered suggestions. For apps we got the grilled romaine salad and scallops. Both were excellent, my husband said some of the best scallops he's ever had. We both got burgers for lunch. I had a veggie burger and it was awe.some. The server said they recently changed the recipe and they hit it out of the park. Will definitely return.
(4)Alex V.
My first 5 start was deleted by those dirty San Franciscan hippies at yelp. So this is my second. I have Reid Hoffman founder of yelp in my death pool, he will die of hypertension in 3-6 years. All of the food I ate here was excellent. The cheese plate was ok, but the fried chicken and tacos were excellent. It's a little cramped, so hopefully Reid's fat as stays west and out of this fine establishment.. The rum drinks were very good too. It's nice they focused on a single liquor, and really explored it. Reid pays for sex.
(5)Craig K.
Atmosphere was ok. Waitress was nice. The drinks were tasty. Then there is the food. The pork belly tacos came out cold, bland, and even w the sauce and additions, it was so-so. Pork belly done right should punch you in mouth w flavor. The chicken and waffles are where they shine. The seafood medley casserole thingy was HORRIBLE! It tasted like an old stew that sat in a warmer table for 3 days. Then they slap it in a little cast iron skillet as though it was "freshly" prepared just for you. It's not. Then we had the oyster po'boy. For about $16 bucks, I expected more than 6 oysters. It was a half size portion, and the oysters tasted mushy, bland, and old. Tasteless. Worth the adventure? Nope, not even close.
(2)Nick L.
Very nice place and staff. First time in so I wanted to order simple .Menu is quite Interesting.I ordered the steak and cheese, lots of flavorful blend of cheeses !
(5)katie s.
Excellent, fresh fare close to the beach! Our family tried a variety of offerings from the seafood plate, beet & arugula salad, chicken & bacon waffles and kid's hotdog. Everything was excellent - especially the chicken & waffles!! The rum drinks are fantastic as well. Not the cheapest lunch around, but well worth the price for delicious food, great ambience and friendly service.
(5)Hillari W.
Loved the Lobster Ruben. Excellent food, no rush to get us out the door so we enjoyed our food and the atmosphere.
(4)Peter H.
I will go back for drinks, not for food. Food rates three stars on a good night and two stars on a bad night. None of their sea food has been that great. Tuna was not flavorful, crawfish/shrimp were a bit mushy. Burger was cooked perfectly, but flavor was very average. Crabbies (crab and cheese on english muffin) was good but again nothing overly special and seemed to emphasize a lot of cheese for its flavoring. Value for quality is not worth the price tag. The french fries are far and away the best food my family and I have eaten at the restaurant and they are actually quite good. The complimentary bread was soft and good, and the olive oil and salt dipping sauces are a nice touch. The drinks do shine, though and they are great! From rum and lime drinks like the Hemingway to ginger beer drinks they are definitely worth it. They do have a full bar you can sit at, with TVs usually tuned to sports. Atmosphere is a fun, southern, nautical style with lots of aged wood. However, the restaurant is typically loud as there are no interior walls or dampening mechanisms.
(3)C L.
Enjoyed a nice late lunch today. Food, service & atmosphere all excellent. Really enjoyed a Lobster Rueben with fresh slaw & blue cheese. Great fries too. Nice local beer selection but no drafts ... Had the peanut butter jar for dessert - nice to have a real homemade dessert. Great job - thank you
(5)Yaz G.
Great bar with a diverse and well made cocktail menu in addition to a long beer list with a lot of diversity. Food is also excellent with great small plates and excellent specials.
(5)patrick S.
This place is such a welcome addition to the North Shore. The seafood is, of course, incredible, as are the rum drinks. This is to be expected based on the location and name, but what sets this place apart are things like their incredible burgers and meatloaf! They also have great craft brews and ciders. Highly recommend this spot. The atmosphere is really interesting and unique and the staff is knowledgeable and friendly.
(4)Jillian P.
I have to say I've tried it a couple times since they first opened and they have turned it around! They fixed the drafted door and everything (esp beat salad and crabbies) have been great! I really enjoy going there now.
(4)Al B.
We have eaten here dozens of times starting the first night they were open. Let's start with drinks. If you want to try something different from the standard mixed drink, look at their drink menu. If you want a decent glass of good wine, they have it. Beer, check. Cider, they have a few. Local rums, vodkas, check. Great place for a drink, period. Best in town for high quality variety, having a solid pour and good quality drinks. Staff. Awesome, fast and friendly staff. Great service. Everyone is helpful, honest with their advice and great at their job. Decor, unlike anything else in Ipswich, it feels like a slice if Boston on the North Shore...not in a way that it doesn't belong, more on being on the level that would make it in Boston. Food. The food is great, with a mix of apps, entrees, salads, with a modern twist. It isn't you grandfather's pub food. Some of the items and combos can seem unusual, but they are almost always spot on. Quality ingredients, in some cases with local ingredients. The wings, pork tacos, farmhouse burger are regular orders for me. They do mix it up a bit with the seasons, and there is usually some food and drink specials. My only criticism is the menu may sometimes not have enough "go to" meals at time. Many of the dishes have strong flavors you have to be in the mood to eat, but that also depends on your palate. The quality is good and it is overall consistent. Salt has been the best new addition to eating in Ipswich of late. It gives us a modern addition for American food that varies from the mostly traditional food offerings in our town.
(5)Jim M.
Best restaurant I've been to for lunch in quite some time. Ambiance is terrific (hip/casual), beer list is deep and delicious, and the food, ooh baby! We had the crabbies and tater tots for apps. Phenomenal! We also had the Lobster Salad Sandwich, which was served on marble rye with brie and home-made coleslaw. It oozed brilliantly with flavors and terrific taste! I got the meatloaf sandwich wrapped in bacon, which was essentially the meat version of the above, and just as good. Last thing to mention: we sat at the bar and our bartender/server was terrifically sweet and courteous talking to us about the beers, food, and was very helpful with making our selections. Looking forward to going back next week as this is my new go-to spot!
(5)Kevin C.
My wife and I went on Valentine's Day. The food was TOO expensive..even for a date on that day. All of the drinks have spices or something unusual in them. I did like the Jessica Rabbit.
(2)Eric P.
My wife and I recently ate at Salt and it was phenomenal. From the decor and atmosphere to the food and rum! The staff were very pleasant and fun to interact with. I got the farmhouse burger which is vague yet specific. It doesn't tell you what's between the buns but it does tell you everything is farm fresh and local . The Burger had Carmelized onions, fresh hand made ground beef patty , bacon, local cheddar, and a fried egg and the best part: the bun was a pretzel bun. Holy S%#t! Was that the best burger I've ever had!!! Go to Salt Kitchen and Rum Bar.
(5)Paul B.
This place never disappoints. I wish we lived a little bit closer so we can explore the menu more. It is not too far, maybe 25mins door to door, but it is more out of site, out of mind. Whenever we remember to head to Salt we always regret not doing it more often. Good service, really tasty dishes that blend comfort food with creative ingredients and recipes, and good drinks to boot. And they have never hesitated to seat a large group for us and for a smaller room, they go out of their way to make it work. Love it.
(5)Eric P.
Made reservations for a Saturday night. Place is small and got quite packed but surprising wasnt as loud as had expected. Staff was very patient with our menu questions. Had the pork tacos to start,YUM! Wife went with the Farmhouse burger and i got the Sugo, both mouthwatering. Drinks, not the same experience. We both tried a rum drink that had coconut milk that changed the thought of great rum drinks, more like a white russian type. I then tried the whiskey drink on menu and was a twist to the old fashioned which was very nice. Wife went with the old standby, captain amd coke. Only problem the coke was very flat and we were told they use some generic type coke,....no good. Overall i give 4 stars, only because the food we had was very tasty. Not sure for us it will be regular place due to dissapointing drinks. We had to grab a nice nightcap at Ithaki afterwards.
(4)Curtis M.
Food was exceptional for the North Shore. Being that I'm a bartender I expect a lot from a establishment that refers to itself is a rum bar. I would have liked to seen a little bit more diversity with the rum selection. A bottle of Smith and Cross would made me happy.
(4)Kristin B.
Great meal tonight with amazing friends. We had the snapper with "subbed" mashed to accommodate our Celiac Disease. Laid back atmosphere, excellent quick, but not rushing to get us out the door. We will be back. ( one star off as it was very hot in the restaurant that night and our party was sweating)
(4)Andrew M.
Excellent food - great spot. Their fries are second to none, and the lobster wellington is delicious!
(5)D B.
Not entirely sure how to rate..... The name and location... I expected so much more like fresher fish choices...definitely more of a bar than a restaurant. Interesting menu withe creative touches. Super fresh lobster in their version of the Lobster Ruben. The only fish on the menu was Pollack??? I would have killed for salmon over one of their salads. Fried Chicken and Waffles with chipotle maple rum syrup and bacon in the waffle was good. I was told it would be a Belgian waffle which should have been very thick light and crispy... A bit too eggo-esque for me. Light on the flavoring in the maple syrup and never tasted any rum. The most disappointing part of the meal was the couple behind us with children...not the noise of the children but the wife braiding her husband for over-scheduling their day, in law complaints and didn't let up for a minute..... I wouldn't rush back unless I wanted to get trashed on rum... Montreal has tons of "Port wine " bars this is where they may have come up with the novelty of many many Rums?!
(3)Christine S.
All the reservations were booked for this Friday night but we took our chances and showed up at 8:30. Drinks were great however after waiting for an hour and forty five minutes we were never seated. One table had finished their meal and paid the check but continued to sit and chat. Unfortunately, manager felt their hands were tied and thy couldn't turn the table over. We left quite disappointed. It is too bad that Salt lost a group of 6 for dinner.
(2)M H.
So disappointed. Had been looking forward to going there. Not much on the menu appealed to me. Settled for Grilled Romaine Salad and Asian Chicken Noodle Soup. The salad was ok, nothing special. The soup was awful. My daughter had the Flat Iron Steak and said it was delicious. I was very disappointed that the waitress never asked about the meal, especially when the soup was barely eaten. Don't think I will go back.
(2)Mark L.
Summary of our visit: Good drinks, so-so food, very long wait for the simple things we ordered, and no info/status updates from servers or manager. Sunday 10/5/2014 was a gorgeous day and everyone was out to play. So, Salt may have been hit with a rush of customers around 3pm as they told us later. However, if a place has the basics right- professional staff who will make the customer feel valued and cared-for- the customer is usually willing to cut them a good bit of slack. I did not see those basics in place during our visit. We sat at the bar, were promptly served novel, interesting cocktails. Took rather a long time for our 5 piece Grilled Oysters to emerge, tragically over-cooked and far too heavy with a salty topping. Waited in a Twilight Zone of about 30 minutes for the Naked Burger we shared. I asked bartender respectfully toward the end of our wait 'can you tell me how long since you put in our food order?' (they have PC-like terminals prominently displayed) and she said 'I can't but my manager can- I'll have her come by.' Manager explained and apologized mildly, but I've certainly interacted with managers who instill more caring and a 'we're in this with you' feeling. The food was so-so, but it was experiencing the 'un-informed wait', where no one took the time to tell us what was happening, that was particularly disappointing.
(2)Karen S.
We came here after a day at the beach and are so glad we did! Great creative food and drink options. We wanted to get one of everything but settled for almost everything. We had lobster Wellington and pork belly tacos for apps--both delicious and hot. Drink were refreshing and strong! For dinner we got several items but the chicken and waffles with the amazing chipotle bacon syrup was the hands down favorite. We ate every bite and were tempted by dessert but opted to go out for ice cream instead. Only complaint was the a/c didn't seem to be working which made it a tad uncomfortable. Hope they get that fixed as we are sure to make the trip back!
(5)Cristina R.
After a long day at Crane Beach, my friends and I came across this bar and decided to have a drink as we waiting for our train back to Boston. The interior was dimly lit and modern with craft beer and food specials made with local ingredients written on the chalkboard paint-covered walls. Wow! Are we still in Ipswitch? I would expect a spot like this in the city, but not here. We were intrigued. We sat at the long bar, and the bartender was very helpful in helping us select drinks. My friends tried the Haymaker (similar to a Dark & Stormy but a bit too sweet for my liking) and Felton, which were decent, but everyone agreed that the favorite was mine: the Crane. I've had better drinks, and these were not cheap, but I appreciated the creativity and ambiance. We also ordered one of the daily specials as an appetizer: the fried oysters. OMG THOSE OYSTERS. If you ever see them gracing their chalkboard wall again, get them. We devoured the first order and had to order another. Each serving had 7 delectable balls of fried, salty yumminess, and they came with a delicious bacon-mayo dipping sauce (even our mostly-vegetarian friend indulged!). They were the perfect accompaniment to our sweet drinks. Our visit to Salt really ended our beach day with a bang!
(4)Kimberly M.
My husband and I really enjoyed Salt. We each got rum drinks, but both were a little too sweet for our liking. Next time we'll get something a little less sugary, but it's nice to have plenty of options! The food was great. My husband got the chicken and waffles, and I got the grilled romaine salad and added shrimp and scallops. It was SO good. The chicken and waffles is kind of a one-time thing, but it was tasty for sure. The only downside is the lack of space at the bar. We had to wait a while for our table (no problem, we didn't have reservations) and we kind of had to squeeze in behind the folks sitting at the bar. I also wish there were some other fish/seafood options!
(4)Amy N.
Good stuff!! It was packed on a cold October Saturday and even the waitstaff were a bit amazed by the crowds. We sat at the bar and started with the tater-tots appetizer. They were cooked to perfection and I'm glad we split them because the four, large, smokey-flavored nuggets of yumminess were filling. I could have put a straw in the bowl of melted cheese. I had the privateer Rum and it was great!! Just the right glow that made pumpkin shopping, afterwards, tolerable. I had the naked burger (super fresh Kaiser bun) and it was great. Hubs had the baked chicken wings and thought they were also good. Their specials board contained some cool dishes but we didn't notice it until we were almost done with our meal. A solid spot and I'm looking forward to going back!!
(3)Michele G.
Really, really good food. The atmosphere is lively to loud ( not a bad thing ), service was attentive, but the cooking was the star. Snapper special and half rack of lamb were both outstanding. One of the best meals I've had in awhile. Reservations are a necessity, it's a small place with a busy bar scene.
(4)Lisa G.
Went here for some apps and a drink the drink was good then I had the gazpacho which was really good with big chunks of veggies I was still a bit hungry so I tried the beet salad it was ok I guess I was expecting more it is kinda dark and dingy inside.
(3)S G.
The bartender was very inattentive and clearly did not want to be there. The food was decent except the scallop appetizer. 3 scallops on this round disc which we later found out was made of salt... The hostess was very sweet but was in over her head for a busy night.
(2)Dana G.
Only one word explains this place. AMAZING. Great drinks and incredible comfort foo.
(5)royal r.
Atmosphere=3 stars Drinks=5 stars Food= -6 stars Scollops were undercooked and yucky and made me sick (literally) - Otherwise cool place to have a drink. Ill give it one more shot but DEF not getting scallops haha.
(2)Adrienne B.
I've been here now a dozen or so times and the experience is always the same. Amazing food, great ambiance and super service. The menu is made up of few high quality meals with locally sourced meats and produce. The plates are smaller than average but the quality more than makes up for it. They also have a great beer and wine selection but I highly recommend trying a cocktail, the Hemingway and the Tequila are my personal favorites. My husband always gets the pork belly tacos and loves them. The barley risotto is great as well as the grilled romaine salad. And the best part is the price is really reasonable! I'll be going back!
(5)Local G.
We stopped here after the beach and we loved it! We ate just about everything or so it seemed. We tried the pork belly tacos- awesome. I could have eaten all three by myself. They were crunchy and seasoned perfectly. The whole concept of pork belly is gross but don't think about it, just chew. We had the chicken wings- awesome and cooked perfectly. The cheese plate- awesome and loved that it featured all local cheeses. We had the lobster puffs or whatever they are called- both people that ate them really liked them. We had the skirt steak special- nothing great and after the apps we were disappointed, but the fries with it were shoestring like, cooked and seasoned perfectly. We also had two burgers which both men complained were over cooked as medium rare was requested and they came out well done. All the beers were thoroughly enjoyed as well. And the atmosphere was warm and inviting. We will definitely go back!
(4)Amber A.
Loved! Went for New Year's Eve for my anniversary. Good service, cozy place and great food.
(4)Meg K.
Yum! I'm all about the cocktails and apps. The table next to us complained about their bread being too soggy from the slaw on it (what?) and the server handled it gracefully without causing a scene. They serve a few items on a pink salt block which is unique and fun. The complimentary bread and olive oil are lovely as well. Definitely going back!
(5)Michelle M.
I loooooved this place!! Very cute inside. Small, but cute. You do come out smelling like a kitchen, but that's to be expected. We went with a work group and the service was good, nothing to rave nor complain about. I got the farmhouse burger which was AMAZING! Probably one of the best burgers I've had. The fries were really yummy too. Great north shore spot, I highly recommend it, but make sure to get reservations. I wish I had tried the rum!!
(4)Laura B.
After seeing the Lobster Poutine featured on Phantom Gourmet we made a beeline into the Salt Kitchen to try it. I arrived first and was able to browse their specialty drink menu while waiting on my boyfriend. The drinks looked awesome and I must say that I enjoyed my Haymaker and my boyfriend liked his Crane. While our appetizer was being made, they gave us some bread and olive oil with salt. 3 different versions. I liked the one with pink salt but my boyfriend thought they were all way to salty. Our Poutine was delivered and as it was set down I couldn't help but be disappointed. First, thing I noticed is that there was only maybe a handful of fries. Second, was that there was a lot of sauce. Third, was that there was hardly any lobster, less than half a tail of lobster! This is a $15 dollar app... with such little food. After all you can get a lobster roll with 6 times more meat for the same price. The only redeeming thing was that the sauce was fantastic. Now, the bartender came over to ask us how it was and we let her know how disappointed we were considering we had just seen this on TV and how it was no where near what we saw. She took it back and told the chef. At this point in time I figured all would be fixed. But no..... The Poutine came back and it only had a few more very small pieces of lobster added and lots more sauce....in addition, they just tossed it on top which caused everything to be soggy.... Now the manager came over to us and we let her know how disappointed we were. She took the app and gave us credit for it and apologized and said that she would tell the chef. However, some how I expected the whole situation to be remedied. And was upset that we went home hungry after having 4 fries.... You know it's a rough time, when the person sitting at the bar next to you was thinking about ordering the same thing until she saw it and saw what happened when it was brought back out..... Only reason I am giving this 2 stars, is one for the drinks and one for the service from the bartender who did her best.
(2)Monica F.
Nothing special, but in comparison to my night before in newburyport...it was a home run! I'm not a rum drinker but the food was above average.
(3)Christina N.
Great drinks!!! Great service and good food. If not used to boston prices u will think its expensive but u have a boston experience in the suburbs...comes with a price. Worth the money for the drinks!
(4)Kate N.
The hostess was a little bit rude and not welcoming. The waitress we had was extremely helpful and lovely. The appetizers we had were delicious but the entrees were only ok. Service was a bit slow and delayed. ironically some of the dishes needed salt.
(3)Anthony D.
Best date spot in town. very creative menu of food and drinks that is constantly changing. Very friendly waitstaff. Only issue is that it is too SMALL. Sometimes waits can be long but well worth it. Lunch on the weekends is the time to go to avoid these waits.
(5)Meridith P.
Stopped in for lunch on a recent weekday and can't wait to go back. Attentive and knowledgeable service, warm and inviting atmosphere, and absolutely craveable food. Dishes that were shared at our table included the Tator Tots (creamy and crispy at once!), Guinness Beef Stew (huge portion of a gorgeous short-rib-like cut, beautifully turned vegetables, adorable presentation in a small iron skillet), Ale & Cheddar Soup (a little salty, but I finished the whole bowl because it was so creamy and flavorful), and the daily special, which happened to be a Cauliflower Steak (basically a huge slice of cauliflower, grilled like a steak over hardwood) with spicky cauliflower puree, roasted veg, and minted beet coulis. These chefs know how to prepare beautiful vegetables. It seemed that they were sticking to seasonal selections too, which warmed my heart and made for as lovely a meal as one might hope for in late February. Really looking forward to going back for dinner and drinks so that we'll have an opportunity to sample more of the offerings from the bar. I wish more places like this would open in the area. Clam shacks and Lobster rolls are great once in a while - when you want to feel like a tourist in your own town - but seasonal, fresh cooking like this is what draws us in regularly.
(4)Sonia J.
Had a great experience at this great, new restaurant in Ipswich! It's located in the old Cafe Zabaglione space. We had the Salt Block Scallop appetizer which had an amazing presentation on a salt block, delicious and cooked to perfection! And the Crab & Cheddar Bisque was amazing!!! Can't wait to have that again & again! My husband ordered the meat loaf which was one of the best that I have ever had. We both had rum drinks; mine was the Hemingway which was very good and unusual, and he had one w/ Serrano peppers in it that I really enjoyed as well. Can't wait to back many, many more times! Thank you for coming to our town!!!
(5)Nic S.
Food is good, service is slow and mindless. If I wanted bad service for expensive food, I would just go eat in town. This is not what I expected for a small-town service. We live ten min away but won't be back.
(3)Spencer D.
We live in Ipswich and decided to try Salt for the first time. Tons of local flavor. Food and drinks were amazing! We had the oven roasted oysters, tuna burger and sea scallops with lobster and spinach. Really pleasant surprise and can't wait to go back. Hopefully you get Mike as your server! He made the best recommendations.
(5)Perry L.
My wife and I found this place in the dinner dealer deck of cards for the north shore. Coming here was one of the best dinner decisions ever. As the name insinuates they have everything sinful your mom told you not to eat. Every dish is cooked to perfection and will keep you craving more with every bite. I ordered the foie gras meatloaf and I wish I could eat that everyday. I've eaten at many restaurants of celebrity chefs and salt definitely ranks Among those in the big leagues.
(5)Deborah G.
Yum pork belly tacos!love this place!
(5)Mike D.
Salt is my new favorite place in Ipswich. Despite living 45 minutes away I have eaten dinner here 6 times since their opening and every single time has been fantastic! From the cocktails (the haymaker is amazing) to the appetizers (tuna spring roll, charcuterie, pork taco, bruschetta) to the great entrees, Salt does it right. My only gripe was the tuna sushi roll, it was mushy and not very tasty but I should have known not to get sushi unless it's in a sushi restaurant. The staff here are great, the bar can get crowded sometimes but I recommend getting a table, ordering 3-4 apps as a meal and a couple of haymakers or crane cocktails. You might even see a celebrity.
(5)Cindy C.
Yummy food & surprisingly great place to bring kids. Brought our daughter on a Sunday afternoon, & they even had kid meals options, and crayons/printouts ready for her. The hubby got a drink and it looked fabulous. Service was fast & friendly.
(4)Dave W.
Great cocktails. Really like the Haymaker. They make a terrific meatloaf sandwich and very good fries.
(4)Steven S.
Had heard about this place from a friend. Fantastic dinner and drinks. Good size portions and a really cool menu. Small, comfortable and great service.
(5)Herb Z.
Came here on a Friday night, and they have done a better job. The Waitress we had was very nice and attentive, and the food was not bad. Although I ordered the filet of beef, medium rare, and got it on the medium well done side. I also wan't impressed with the instant mashed potatoes. Make real ones if you are going to charge that much for food. Good selection of drinks. People in our party thought it was OK as well. Not a place I would put on my got to go to list, but a decent stop. Service and food were beter than my first time for sure.
(3)H B.
First off, We do not call ourselves foodies( hate that tag), just a mid-forties couple that have both been in the food business for years! Not hard to please, but have expectations for restaurants. Especially ones who command close to Boston prices 25 miles north of the city. We had a non welcoming reception at the bar on a Monday evening at about 6:30pm. Bartender had no other customers at the bar and should have payed a bit more attention to us while she had the chance. The Haymaker rum drink a bit too sweet, good for a hangover, not balanced, kinda weak. We didn't feel rushed which was perfect. Ordered some apps first. Award winning Oysters--- dirty, over cooked but not hot----weird. Cheese board, wicked tiny for $14, but tasty and plain. Artichoke bruschetta- delicious for pre marinated artichokes on good grilled bread and melted fontina cheese. I had a couple more cocktails to check out the variety of the menu and they were ok. Not what I expected from the hype! Entrees---my wife chose the only vegetarian option, Barley risotto $14( I know vegetarian, but the bartender said that this was the only option besides asparagus or carrots! The kitchen couldn't possibly think outside the box to create anything other than that from the sides on the existing menu!) Barley risotto was ok, even to a carnivore, but a insulting rip off at $18. Since I was apprehensive from the appetizers, I decided to go a bit more pedestrian with a burger(medium rare), fried egg, bacon on a pretzel roll with fries. Quite tasty but again over cooked to medium well. No I didn't send it back. Should have! So then at the end, the bartender over charged us 2 drinks, that were over priced to begin with! I waited for so long, over a year, to even try this restaurant in my home town. Too bad, too bad! I know it was a Monday in restaurant terms, but really. Please understand that all good places have good and bad days, pardon the pun, please take this review with a grain of "SALT"!
(2)Bruno B.
Live in the area and really wanted it to be good but...... Bar tender had attitude from start. Think he thought he was Tom cruise or something, Wine selection mediocre at best tried to pour me oxidized wine from night before. They should charge more and give you a decent pour makes you feel like you are getting ripped off. I don't like a goblet, just a generous pour. Scallops asked for them extra seared. Came raw almost looked boiled My third and last time there. Too bad I was hoping it would be good. They just don't seem to care.
(1)Dan F.
After reading the previous reviews I've gotta say I was going to give this place 4 stars, but given that there are TWO cases of food poisoning from shellfish and that my egg was SEVERELY under cooked I had to drop a star off of my review even though I was going to give it four... I went for a lunch meetup with an acquaintance who works down the street and he suggested the restaurant and I thought it sounded great so we decided to go. I will note that he has never had a problem at this restaurant and it seems he's been before at least a couple times. I was impressed with the beer selection, but most of it is in bottles. They need to remedy that fact. (Some beers are bottle conditioned, so I get that, but there are many that aren't). I was also impressed with how much was on the menu, but decided to go the simple route and get a burger. I got the farmhouse burger (caramelized onions, bacon, egg and cheddar on a burger with a pretzel bun - i got a regular bun instead) and my friend got a cheese burger. She asked how I wanted the burger cooked and I said medium rare (maybe would have been more cautious if I had read reviews) but that's what I normally order at real restaurants annnd I think she was asking about the egg not the burger because when my food came the burger was medium or more (still juicy and good though) and the egg was... just not really cooked... it was sunny side up but the cook doesn't know how to cook a sunny side up egg, you need to cover it with a pan lid so the white cooks despite the yolk staying raw, and it was literally half raw, I had to scrape the uncooked white (about half the egg) off and that's just gross... Besides the gross egg the server wasn't particularly spectacular, she was fine, but she just did her job and didn't seem up to snuff for a nicer establishment. I will probably give it another go, but yeah, heads up.
(3)Nicole B.
Wow! Post beach we usually stumble into the Choate Bridge for a drink and appetizers.. We decided we wanted to check out Salt and are so happy we did! First, it was amazing not having to go get cash for our food/drinks like we have to across the street. Second Steph at the bar is amazing, sweet, not pushy, chatty without being annoying and super helpful. I had the cider, and my accomplice had wine both were great. We snacked on the epic grilled oysters and grilled chicken wings both delicious! Service couldn't have been better and the snacks were amazing. Salt will be without a doubt be my new post beach spot and I hear they do a great brunch on Sundays. Kudos to salt and their staff.
(5)Nigel C.
The North Shore has long needed a restaurant like Salt. It is my kind of place; creative, rustic , farm to table, hand made with great service. I am also a big rum fan and appreciate their selection of local, craft rums....
(5)Amy M.
Food & service were spot-on. Decor is sleek and modern with rustic touches from reclaimed wood, mason jars, etc. The only reason it's not 5 stars is that it's cramped and noisy, not in the charming way. But that also lent it a fun vibe. Back to the important stuff--food. They have a nice range of items & prices including gourmet entrees, small plates, sandwiches, and burgers. Great menu of craft beer and rum cocktails. We started with a beet salad that came with lightly dressed arugula and fried goat cheese. Perfection. Then we had the lobster Reuben (stuffed with lobster meat, Brie, and slaw) and the farmhouse burger (mouthwatering local beef w/egg & bacon on a tasty pretzel bun). We were so full and so happy. Next time we'll try to save room for dessert.
(4)C S.
Would like to give it more like 3 1/2 but wasn't very impressed last time I went. Overall good food, no problems with service, like that they change menu and offer specials. I will say the appetizer portions seem to be a little small, the SALT block scallops were very good but we wanted more, at dinner for 3 and only 3 tiny scallops we were kind of disapointed. I went recently and got the Grilled oysters and they were tiny and not cleaned, I kept tasting grit as I was eating them. My husband has had the Fried Chicken & Bacon Waffles and didn't really care for it but he had the Meatloaf another time and enjoyed it. They had a quail special that he got recently and really liked that. It kind of depends on what you get I suppose. I have been happy with what I have ordered but I do agree with other yelper's that you would think they would have a bigger seafood selection. We will be going back because when we want to go out for a nice dinner we usually choose between here and 15 Walnut in Hamilton, not much to choose from in this area unless you go down to Boston. Give it a try and see for yourself, it's a nice place for a dinner for two and it seems like the people at the bar are always enjoying their drinks.
(3)Linda A.
Really Liked the gin cocktail.
(4)Mike M.
What a great experience tonight at Salt Kitchen and Rum Bar. It was very busy, but 4 of us were lucky to get seats at the bar. Our main bartender, Stephanie, was very pleasant and engaging. We all had cocktails to start, which took advantage of the excellent Rum collection. We shared 3 appetizers, Grilled Wings, Pork Belly Tacos and Crabbies, which were outstanding. I had the Chicken and Waffles, which had a huge piece of chicken, 1/2 a waffle and maple glaze. It was excellent and I have enough chicken for lunch tomorrow! We all enjoyed our meals and thought it was a great experience. One FYI... If you don't like crowds, this is not the place for you. There is not a ton of seats, so get there early or prepare to wait. We will definitely return!
(5)Nichole A.
Smuggler cocktail was spicy and delicious. Beet salad was fresh and crab bisque was creamy and rich. Every thing as it should be. I do agree that service may not be as friendly as you would hope for in a small town restaurant but I will keep going back for the drinks, food and atmosphere.
(4)Bonnie B.
This was a wonderful experience! I loved it. Met a girlfriend there to sit at the bar for some appetizers and drinks - great staff, amazing food, delicious rum!
(5)Erica K.
I will definitely be coming back! Loved the Haymaker and Crane for drinks off of their cocktail menu, I would go back even if it's just for those drinks! We started with the charcuterie plate which seemed a bit small in portion size but was a tasty combo of meats and cheeses. My fiance and I both got the burger with bacon and fried egg on top and were extremely satisfied. We did both order it medium rare and one came out medium and the other medium rare, not sure what happened there but I won't hold it against them due to their delicious cocktails. The restaurant itself is tiny and we were seated pretty much on top of another table but luckily had friendly neighbors. The atmosphere is chic, I just wish the bar were a bit bigger. I will be back there soon.
(4)Debora C.
Stopped in for dinner last Friday night. We had reservations. 4 of us women. I ordered the grilled romaine and enjoyable. I did expect the bacon to be crumbled not laid in strips across the romaine. My suggestion. Take it for what it is worth. :-) I also ordered the BBQ grilled oysters and was put off by how to dry they were. Seemed none of the natural juice remained. I make broiled oysters in their juice with butter for guests who don't like raw oysters like I do. The preparation for these may have been similar but no juice remained and they were dried out. The service was excellent. Seating is cozy and great for conversation.
(3)Ted P.
This is where I want to eat all the time. Want lobster? How about lobster poutine, or lobster wellington? Want a burger? One of the best I've ever tasted. Hugely creative menu with all local ingredients. The rum drinks are awesome too!
(5)Leopold S.
Ignore the funky decor; this is a great addition to the area. Fun creative menu well prepared. Great sophisticated wine list @ fair prices. Young pleasant staff.
(3)Timothy B.
Get the Haymaker! #1 reason to come here. The tune burger, meatloaf and meatloaf sandwich, and the clam linguini are all good! And just tried the chocolate hazelnut dessert - amazing. A new favorite in Ipswich.
(5)Tara F.
Great selection of craft beers. We ordered the Lobster Poutine which was creamy and rich with large lobsters pieces. Service was friendly. Would've given a fifth start if the ventilation was functioning a bit better.
(4)N D.
We are so excited that this place opened up. We live in town and desperately needed a cool place to eat some good food and have a few drinks. I have to give feedback though...because I really want this place to be great. The staff is not super interested in making connections. I'm not looking for a best friend, but they seem sort of disinterested. The food is RICH. All of it. Even the salads. Everything is covered in sauce and cheese and it's just too much. They have lobster but it's in a pot pie type appetizer OR a rueben sandwich with Brie and thousand island dressing. They need to cut it back a bit and offer more fresh, light options. (i.e. lobster salad, raw bar,fish tacos) I don't write this this review to discourage. I write it to give feedback. I'm not giving up on this place. Ipswich loves the idea of a cool place to have a drink that's not the Choate or Sports bar. But they need to hear the feedback of local people who want them to thrive. P.s. they need to get local draft beer on tap ASAP!!! P.p.s since writing this review, my boyfriend had the mussels and was up sick all night...had to go from 3 to 2 stars...
(2)Bill M.
Wow...Love this place!
(5)Michael B.
Heard great things about this new place so my girlfriend and I gave it a try. We were seated promptly by a very friendly hostess. The place was very crowded and our seats were very small but we got comfortable quickly. The waiter seemed a little impatient with us at first as the drink menu was new to us and we wanted to make a good choice (he came over three times in five minutes). No biggie. I started with the short ribs and kimchi and the roasted beet salad. OMG to die for. absolutely excellent. The drink I chose was a Hemingway and after 4 of them, I realized how much I liked them (could have been a little stronger). My entree was a grilled flank steak and although I ordered it medium it came back very rare, again no biggie, I like rare too. The steak and mashed potatoes were very simple and nothing special. I followed this with a chocolate torte that was out of this world. In closure: for a restaurant that just opened and probably had a few kinks to work out I was reasonably impressed. I think my waiter could have done better though, he seemed a little out of place with all the other smiling waitstaff. My girlfriend entree off the special is the main reason for the four stars. Her special had anise listed as an ingredient and it was missing entirely form the dish but she can comment about that on her own page. i will give it a little time and then try it again. This place has a ton of promise as gastropub food is a great alternative to the stuffy restaurant atmosphere. On a side note, be prepared to walk to get to it, the parking was difficult...
(4)Gabrielle M.
Went to Salt this weekend with friends. Casual, warm and friendly atmosphere. Amazing food! We tried the chacuterrie plate, lobster turnovers and pork belly tacos for apps. All were excellent and would have been excellent by themselves for dinner! I had the crane cocktail with rum and St.Germaine and it was delightful. Several ladies had various rum cocktails and enjoyed them all! I had the vegetarian cassolet which was scrumptious! I should also mention that everyone at our table was thrilled with their entrees. We couldnt help it-we splurged on dessert and tried the key lime pie in a mason jar and an outrageous chocolate and hazlenut torte with ice cream-it was down right heart warming! My only note is that I hope they will add a greater selection of local beers-that would make me very happy! The owner and staff are very friendly and I expect Salt will do very well! Check it out!
(5)Patricia G.
While the atmosphere was great, I ordered the kimi short ribs, they were dry, charred and over cooked. I couldn't eat them so they asked me if I would like something else, so I ordered the grilled shrimp & grits, shrimp were almost raw, no grille marks, and my husband ordered the pork belly tacos, said it was tasty, the pork was fried fat and he woke up sick in the middle of the night, and he has a steel stomach. Sorry, won't be back.
(1)Mike M.
Tried Salt last night. Three of us tried a rum drink. All three were great. I had the Fried Chicken and Waffles. I could not have enough, practically ate the bones and plate. The atmosphere is a lively gastropub and a really fun. The staff was great, knew the food and drink, was courteous and friendly. I would highly recommend but make a reservation.
(4)melissa g.
Went to this new restaurant last night with high hopes. As someone who desperately wants more good restaurants in the area I am routing for these guys. We sat at the bar and had their lobster cheese fries (they go by another name but this is what they are) which were super scrumptious. I will be ordering them again. Areas for improvement are: the wine list (I know it's a rum bar but a lot of people who eat there will still want wine) the wine list needs to include the locations of the vineyards (Healdsburg, anyone?) I have no idea if the wines on the list are any good because of the lack of information on the list. And, unfortunately, the bartender helping me didn't know much about the wines she was serving either. (She seemed to think some of the red wines came from Rowley or Westport, MA) I also had the pork belly tacos. The pork belly was super overcooked (crunchy nuggets of pork) so they were kind of a disappointment. The space is cozy. The menu looks exciting. And the area is definitely aching for a new restaurant. I think this place is going to be great... but they have a few new-restaurant kinks to work out. (Including maybe a stronger kitchen fan?) My advice: go. and get the lobster cheese fries!
(3)Teece D.
Daydreaming of my next visit to the Salt Kitchen and Rum Bar. I love this place, it's my new local favorite. It's small, but the bar is generous and the rest of the space is utilized well. They take their food seriously here, but are not at all pretentious about it. The Salt Kitchen and Rum Bar is just a very relaxed place to try some excellent farm to table offerings and enjoy an impressive list of freshly muddled local rum libations. Their beer selection is equally as impressive but for me you just can't beat their Haymaker or Hemingway. Everything I've eaten here has been top-notch, but be prepared for the Salt Block Scallops to be salty; very flavorful but definitely salty. Nothing the Haymaker can't remedy.
(4)Joseph K.
Stopped by late on Saturday night and found the intimate bar and restaurant still very busy, luckily i was able to grab the one open seat at the bar. Great craft beer selection, very cool to see some local breweries getting some love along with the big boys. Since it is a gastro pub however i asked the bartender for a mixed drink suggestion and she made me a great tequila drink. Food was also fantastic the lobster poutine sounded weird but i had to try it and was glad i did, but the shrimp and grits was one of the best dishes i've had in a while. Great job chef. Very impressive for a restaurant this new to be running so smoothly can't wait to go back
(5)